Long Beach Airport

Long Beach Airport (Daugherty Field)
Location	Long Beach, California
IATA code	LGB
ICAO code	KLGB
Airport type	Commerical
Website	http://www.lgb.org
Overview map	Google Maps
Communications
Tower	119.4 120.5 257.6
Ground	133.0 (North & East of runway 12/30) 135.8 (South & West of runway 12/30) 257.6
Clearance	118.15
Approach	124.65
Departure	127.2
ATIS	127.75 562-595-8564
Departure	122.95

Long Beach Airport is one of the five major airports serving the Los Angeles area. While a noise ordinance limits the number of commercial airline flights, the airport remains busy with a large amount of general aviation traffic. Test and delivery flights of Boeing C-17 aircraft occur at the airport. Gulfstream's west coast completion and service center is also located at the airport, providing a variety of business jet traffic. The airport also serves as the west coast hub for JetBlue Airways.

Runway 12/30 is the primary arrival and departure runway for most aircraft, including airline and Boeing flights. The other runways mainly handle general aviation flights, though may be used by larger aircraft when 12/30 is unavailable.

Official Spotting Locations

Legends Restaurant and Bar

Located on the second floor of the terminal building, the restaurant offers expansive views of the ramp and airfield. A terraced design allows good views from many seats, though the bar occupies the area right at the windows.

Observation Deck

There is a small outdoor viewing area adjacent to the restaurant, though construction of the new terminal concourse blocks the view of aircraft parked on the ramp. There is a small gap that allows a view of a section of runway 12/30. To access the observation deck, take the stairs or elevator to the second floor of the terminal building and go down the hallway to the south of the restaurant entrance and out the door to the observation deck.

Other Spotting Locations

DeVry Parking Lot

The parking lot for the DeVry University Long Beach is adjacent to runway 12/30. They generally don't have a problem with spotters or photography when classes are not in session. From this location, you should be able to photograph departures and arrivals on runway 30, though runway 12 arrivals may not roll all the way down to this location, and departures may be too high.

Boeing Plant Parking Lot

The Parking lot of the C-17 assembly plant offers some great views of departures on runway 12/30. There are security SUVs that will drive around but they will usually leave spotters alone.

Locations to Avoid

Location

Regular Traffic

Passenger

American Eagle (Mesa Airlines): CRJ-900
Delta Air Lines: 717-200
Delta Connection (SkyWest Airlines): CRJ-700, CRJ-900
JetBlue Airways: A320-200
Southwest Airlines: 737-700

Cargo

Catalina Flying Boats: Beech 18, DC-3
FedEx: A300-600
United Parcel Service: 767-300

Special Events

Major area events such as the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach will bring a large amount of business jet traffic to the airport.

Antonov An-124 large cargo aircraft occasionally visit the airport.

Facilities and Transportation

Public Transportation

Long Beach Transit Route 111 serves a route from Downtown Long Beach to Lakewood, including a stop at the airport terminal. Route 176 travels from west Long Beach to Lakewood Mall, including a stop at the airport terminal.